I arrive alone, hook up to the power and water, and then I disappear inside my camper for days. It's a 1994 Lance. It has no slideouts. It does have an awning but I don't crank it open or put out camp chairs or fishing tackle. I don't set up a grill, lanterns, a pile of firewood or any other indications that a campsite is occupied and intended to be enjoyed.
Most suspiciously, I am alone. I just plug in and disappear.
Occasionally I emerge from my cave to haul trash bags to the dumpster, though I tend to do that late at night just before I go to bed. My neighbors don't usually see that solitary indication of normal human life from my campsite. Just as well. They'd wonder what I'm doing in there, creating trash but exhibiting no other signs of normal, RV park life.
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| Me and my late road buddy, Wiley |
All I want is to plug in, level the camper and be left alone.
What must the neighbors think?
I'm a writer in a truck camper, that's all. I only require electricity, water and solitude. I can do without water if necessary.
I have written three full-length award-winning plays, dozens of blogs, hundreds of pages of my personal travelogue and half of two novels in my Lance camper by just bearing down and getting into that blessed writer's "zone" for three or four days at a time. Home is just too distracting, with its ringing phones and knocking doors. I adore my wife more than life, itself, but in her company at home or on the road I can't seem to write more than a few hundred words are which thoroughly detached from my heart. It's a left-brain, right-brain thing, I guess.
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| Bodega Bay, writing Maternal Instincts |
And that has nothing to do with writing. It's just about finding yourself in solitude, and learning that you like who you are.
So...who are you? And why do you go off RVing alone?
Copyright © 2011, Dave Williams. All rights reserved.
Dave, I soooooooooo identify with this. I do the same thing, disappear inside my RV and only surface every once in awhile. Like you, I am usually spending my time writing. I have often thought that nearby campers must have wondered about me. Great blog! -- Chuck Woodbury
ReplyDeleteI have never worried about what other campers thought. Do as I want, just wish I went more.
ReplyDeleteDave, sounds like your RV is your "man cave!" I'm a single RV'er and spend a lot of time inside, also. Then again, I'm usually traveling and it doesn't make sense for me to set up. When I am in one spot for a few days, I may put out a tablecloth, grill and crank down the awning. Even then, I usually stay inside and read, plan or nap. I can sometimes get more accomplished in my motor home than in my stick home. It's my home away from home.
ReplyDeleteI've been a loner most of my life and didn't see any reason to change just because I now live in a fiver.
ReplyDeleteDave, I so relate to this. I adore my husband, but I need time alone to pursue writing, Reiki, meditation or perhaps just listening to "my" music. In essence, I must have time alone to nurture who I am other than full-time RVer, wife and worker bee.
ReplyDeleteHurray for you and your blog post!
I have seen this many times. I've always wondered why someone whould go camping and never come out of their RV. So, now I will assume everyone is busy writing. It will however take the fun out of sitting there for a week trying to guess what they are doing. i.e. like planning a bank robbery or a take over of the campground.
ReplyDeleteI'm a full-timer and a loner, so I disappear into my Class C for long stretches of time, even when I'm workamping. I get questions and comments but it doesn't change my style. I love people for short times but then I have to retreat and regroup. Nothing personal, folks.
ReplyDeleteIt would be intriguing to see a convention of those of us with similar mindsets. We would all warmly greet each other, perhaps share a brief meal or cup of coffee . . . then happily return to our individual homes on wheels to get back to whatever project we were working on. At the end, we would prepare to leave - hug everyone goodbye, and consider it a HUGE success because we did not lose our cherished personal time!
ReplyDeleteI'm another alone-again full time Workamping RVer in a fifth wheel. I love my lifestyle.
I've done this most of my life, camper, pickup, or just a blanket, and cooking stuff. I enjoy going somewhere, alone, and just 'existing' for a time. Whether your working, hunting, fishing, or whatever, you are at peace with yourself, your earth, and whomever you believe is your God. If I'm sociable, I park with other people, if not, I don 't even want to hear civilization.
ReplyDeleteIf I see you guys 'n gals in camp anywhere, I'll smile and go on by.
Happy times to you all
I purchased my first RV in 2010 a Forest River Wildcat. I was out of work temporarily after some back surgery and did exactly what you are writing about.
ReplyDeleteIt was a blast, I went to the campground with my beautiful and talented wife. And originally it was just to be for the weekend. But while we were there I decided, heck I don't have to be anywhere, I think I'll just stay.
So I did. And did exactly as you did. I set up, came out once or twice every 24 hours to walk the dog or take out the trash, and spent the rest of my 95 days in my 5er at various campgrounds around WA state.
WOW! What a beautiful state I moved to. (If you've never been to Cape Flattery its should definately be on your buckey list).
I wish it had been under better circumstances of course. Back surgery is something I would wish on no one. But 2010 was one heck of a good year.
Happy Camping all. I'll see you there.